Servus Riothamus!
Argh! Verdammt! (Dammit) There was a Assimilation Mod Patch!? Neinnnnnn!!!
I just played with the old IBFD BRG III Version. Okay, now I have to do some reinstall. But I'm sure my work still will be useful. Maybe with some little changes.
When I'm done, I'll send my little modification to you. Would be my first RTW credit. *grin*
Here is a sample of my work. I hope you like it.
Ricimer
character Ricimer, named character, age 58, , x 176, y 143 ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
traits LoyaltyStarter 1, GermanHeritage 1, Christian 1, ChristianArianHeresy 1, NightBattleCapable 1, DeceiverVirtue 2, Pragmatic 3, Intelligent 2, HarshJustice 1, BlackBileHumour 1 , PoliticsSkill 3, Authoritarian 2, RealEmperor 1
ancillaries office_magister_militum_west, patricius
I extended the character with the two new traits GermanHeritage and RealEmperor (yeah, I know, truely not the most brilliant trait-names ever made). I didn't wanted to use typical clichés, but most of my literature sources at the university library said, that 5th century Romans disliked and distrusted people of German descent at this time. So I played with the bad ass image of the German tribes.
Trait GermanHeritage
Characters family
ExcludeCultures barbarian, nomad, hun, carthaginian
Level GermanHeritage
Description GermanHeritage_desc
EffectsDescription GermanHeritage_effects_desc
Threshold 2
Effect Command 1
Effect Influence -3
{GermanHeritage} Romano-Germanic culture
{GermanHeritage_desc}
The term Romano-Germanic describes the conflation of Roman culture with that of various Germanic peoples in areas succesively ruled by the Roman Empire. The cultural syncretism of Roman and Germanic traditions overlaid the earlier syncretism of Roman culture with the Celtic culture of the respective imperial provinces. \n\n
The Empire had come to depend on the enrollment of barbarians. It was necessary to render the service attractive to them by the prospect of power and wealth. This was, of course, a consequence of the decline in military spirit, and of depopulation, in the old civilised Mediterranean countries. The Germans in high command had been useful, but they are not to be trusted. \n\n
The historian Vegetius theorized, that the Roman Empire declined partially as a result of an influx of Germanic mercenaries into the ranks of the legions. This "Germanization" and the resultant cultural dilution or "barbarization", led to lethargy, complacency and loyalty to the Roman commanders, instead of the Roman government, among the legions and a surge in decadence amongst Roman citizenry. \n\n
As archaeologist (Dah-Da-Da-Dahhh, Da-Da-Dah... ) I don't believe in the "barbarisation" theory of the Late Roman Army. But IMO it would lead to a great & wild discussion about the true reasons of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. So I didn't focused the details of the GermanHeritage Trait. Maybe someday later... And to any critics: Yes, Ricimer wasn't of Romano-Germanic, but of Suebi-Visigoth Heritage. I know, you know, everybody knows that. But it's simply a game, so we should'nt waste our time to too much informations. That's my opinion.
Trait RealEmperor
Characters family
ExcludeCultures barbarian, nomad, hun, carthaginian
Level RealEmperor
Description RealEmperor_desc
EffectsDescription RealEmperor_effects_desc
Threshold 2
Effect Command 1
Effect Influence 1
{RealEmperor} De facto ruler of the West-Roman Empire (455-467 & 472-474)
{RealEmperor_desc}
Ricimer was a Germanic general who achieved effective control of the remaining parts of the Western Roman Empire, during the middle of the fifth century A.D. His power was based primarily on military strength, and he exercised political control through a series of "puppet emperors", whom he enthroned and eliminated. \n\n
In 456, Ricimer defeated the Vandals. Backed by the popularity thus acquired, Ricimer gained the consent of the Roman Senate for an expedition against the emperor Avitus, whom he defeated in a bloody battle. Avitus was taken prisoner and shortly afterwards sentenced to death. Ricimer then obtained from Leo I, the eastern emperor at Constantinople, the title of Patrician. \n\n
Ricimer spent the rest of his life as the de facto ruler of what was left of the western empire. As a Germanic tribesman, he could not assume the title of Augustus himself. So he set up his own figurehead emperors and rule through them. \n\n
When the former Patrician Ricimer, who had been the power behind the throne for the Western Empire, died in 472, his nephew Gundobad seized the title. With his new power he elevated the current Count of the Domestics, Glycerius, to the position of Western Roman Emperor. Gundobad, however left office in 473, as his father, Gundioc, had died and he had inherited Burgundy. \n\n
I created the RealEmperor trait, because I thought, it would be nice to create the true balance of power in the Western Roman Empire. There is a ShadowEmperor trait and other Emperor-traits, because Libius Severus is old and will die soon... and there are others.
It maybe make the Western Roman Empire ingame stronger than expected, but still there is this little fealing of crumbling away.... For sure if you're able to kill mighty characters like Ricimer, Gundobad, Anthemius, Odoacer, Ecdicius Avitus and Marcellinus. Maybe the Empire is at his knees, but it's not down yet.
army
unit foederati cavalry exp 3 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
unit legio exp 2 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
unit comitatenses exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
unit comitatenses exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
unit western archer exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit western archer exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati cavalry exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati cavalry exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati infantry exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati infantry exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati swords exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati swords exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
unit foederati spearman exp 1 armour 1 weapon_lvl 0
This is Ricimers Army. I'm not done yet with the historical presence of Late Roman Legions in Italy, but it looks like there were at least 5 Units left. Because archers and cavalry importance increased at this time, Ricimers troops should be a typical example for a Late Roman Army.